The Hawaii High School Athletics Association held a dedication ceremony on Friday, February 10, 2017 at the University of Hawaii's Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex to rename the state swimming and diving championships to K. Mark Takai Swimming and Diving State Championships.
The dedication honors the late U.S. Congressman who was also an All-American swimmer and was inducted into the Nissan Hawaii Hall of Honor in 1985. He was the first athlete from Pearl City High School to be enshrined.
University of Hawaii Connection:
Mark was a member of the University of Hawaii's Western Athletic Conference championship relay team and also served as student president and editor-in-chief of Ka Leo O' Hawaii campus daily newspaper.
Pearl City Connection:
Mark served Pearl City for 20 years in the Hawaii State House of Representatives and was elected in 2014 to the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressional District 1.
Military Service:
He served his country for 15 years in the Hawaii National Guard where he earned the rank of Lt. Colonel. Mark spent one year deployed to the Middle East and also served as president of the Hawaii National Guard Association during his military career.
I would like to say a warm Aloha to the Takai ohana for allowing me to be a part of Friday's K. Mark Takai Swimming and Diving State Championships Dedication. It was a true honor and a beautiful celebration and recognition of Mark's many, extraordinary accomplishment's while on Earth.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
State House Representative Della Au Belatt (right) is pictured with Mark's sister Nadine Day (left)
after officially presenting her and the Takai ohana with a dedication proclamation on Friday, February 10,
2017 at poolside of the University of Hawaii's Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex in Manoa.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Kahu Wendell Davis of Mid Pacific Institute begins the blessing ceremony with
Mark's sisters Nadine (L) and Nikki (R) pictured holding the ceremonial blessing lei.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Kahu Davis is pictured blessing the K. Mark Takai Diving and Swimming
Championships dedication ceremonial lei. (Pictured from R-L) Governor
David Ige along with Takai ohana members Kaila, Matthew, and Erik Takai.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
(Pictured from L-R) Erik Takai (Mark's Dad) Kahu Davis,
Naomi Takai (Mark's Mom), and Sami Takai (Mark's wife)
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Sami is pictured with VIP guest speakers, Governor David Ige (L)
and David Lassner, University of Hawaii President (right).
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
K. Mark Takai Swimming and Diving State Championships dedication ceremony
participants joined hands in singing "Hawai'i Aloha" in honor of K. Mark Takai's memory.